Brick lifter



April 16, 1929.V G, E LUCE 1,709,138

BRICK LIFTER Filed Aug. 1, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l la z/ 1 E zz. L F, 5: y. J4 o el m Q 64 sa a l $4 7 s1. 9 a

+6 4J u" 'N 44 o 4s 47 7l 70 41 a l l o Il INVENTOR.

Gmrro/v E Luca.

A TTORNEYSI April 16, 1929.

G. E. LUCE BRICK LIFTER Filed Aug. l, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. GRH/'7M f; 0F61 Bl/ M A TTORNEY n/AM .71| ...I

adapted to receive a transverse support 15. These supports 15 serve to position the several units in spaced relation while inounting'of the saddles 13 on the shaft or support 12 secures the units in tandem relation. Although not a part of the present invention, it may be noted that Ythe units are relatively movable with respect to each other and thus all of the units can be moved into close relationship on support 12 when desired, but for the purpose of the i resent invention the Vforegoingmoving mechanism and vcontrol is omitted, but reference will be had to a. ce-

ending application entitled Segregaten filed July 14, 19241, having Serial No. 7 26,032.

Herein the saddle 13 supports two dependingstraps er side members 16, and supported thereby and depending` therefrom is a cradle 17.

Mounted within the aforesaid framework is a fluid Voperable power unit. Herein said power unit is illustrated as a pair of solenoids each including an upper and lower coil, said coils being in aligned relation. The nu meral 18 indicates the saine. A; cominonarmature 19is suitably secured to the framework previouslyT described, and to the same is secured the top portion of a core 20. Thus a part of the core is stationary. The bottom part of the core 21 is movable and the two cores 21 are connected by an armature bar 22. Energization of the coils 18 therefore, will cause the cores 21 with the bar 22 to be ele-V vated so that the core 21 may be in substantially abutting relation to core 20. This elevated position is shown in Fig.' 3. Figs. 2 and e illustrate non-energized or lowered position of the cores.

A pair of grasping plates 23 are hingedly supported at their upper ends through a hinge member 24' atl25 upon a combination 'support and spring retainer 26 slidably supported in aligned relation upon the cradle V17. YAs Vshown in Figs. 3 and el., a pair'of said spring seats and guides are provided and the plates 23 include a pair of liinges'24 at their upper ends. The plates 23 intermediate the lower and grasping end and the upper and hingedly supported end support a pivot block 27 and said pivot block supports a pair of links 28, which extend upwardly and at their upper ends are offset as at 29. The upper ends of these links are connected vby a spacer 30, and supported thereby is an upper toggle link'31 at each side of said spacer 30.

VThe upper toffgle link 31 together with ann n l a other from the opposite clamping plate 23, is

' connected at 32 to a lifting or draw bar 33 which is rigidly connected as shown at 34 in Figs. 3 and 1 to the bottom armature bar 22. Thus movement of the core and bottom armature bar will raise the draw bar 33 and therefore, move the pivot 32. When this occurs, the toggle links 28 at their upper ends move outwardly and since the bottoni ends of said links at 27 support the pivoted clamping plates 23, said plates move inwardly. This is because the fulcruin forming links 35 prevent separating movement of said links in the plane of the links 35, and therefore, if the upper port-ion of the links move outwardly or separate, the lower portion moves inwardly to compensate therefore. l/Vlien this moveineiit occurs the article or brick 11 is grasped in clainping relation while on the moving belt 10. The springs 36 are interposed bctween the slidably supported hinge 'and spring seat forming` member 26 andthe cradle 17, and normally tend to prevent the hinge member and gripping vplates from rising. Thus the iirst motion of the core and draw bar operate through the toggle linkage to bring the clamping plates into contact with the article te be grasped instead of raising immediately. Further application of force results in pressure on the article without motion of any kind until enoughv force is applied teY compress the spring, whereupon the hinge seat, clamping plate, toggcgle linkage and brick are all raised. lt is plain that with a heavy spring the grasping force must he greater than with a light spring before the lifting can take place. By changing the size andcharacter of the springs the grasping' pressure can be varied from not-hing to about 75% of the total pull of the selenoic. lZasli# ers 136 secure spring adjustment.

From the foregoing it will likewise be undeistood that when the coils are deenergized the springs tend to lower the clamping plates providing-such opening movement is not automatically accomplished through the weight of the several parts, particularly the toggle linkages which would tend to return to their original position. Friction between parts may. however, require spring action. llt will be apparent, therefore, that upon the release of the applied force, to wit,V the deenergization of the coils, the articles grasped are iinvmediately dropped from the grasping plates and therefore no support is necessary to supportthe articles to accomplish the release thereof from the graspingmechanism. lt is to be understood, however, that wherever itV is desirable to first depositJ the article upon a support and then release the clamping device, such action may be utilized but the saine is not necessary and in many cases is uncle.-Y

siiable. Y

rlhe foregoing is a detailed description of the essential parts of` a single unit. These units, shown in Figs` 1 and 6, may be connected together for successive operation and when such successive or continuous oper(- tion is desirable, a suitable inter-control is provided whereby one of the units controls the next successive unit and so on in turn. and herein two types of such inter-controls are illustrated. the i'ii'st being of the electrical type and the second being of the mechanical llt) type. The first is shown in detail in Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive, while the second type is shown in Fig. 6. Reference will be had first to that type ot control shown in Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive, with particular reference to the first three ligures for a detailed description of the structural mechanism. Carried by the lower end oi' the draw bar 33 is a pair of yoke forming members 40 which support a pin 4l and a bushing The yoke forming ineinbers 40 straddle a pair oi' links 44, which links lie within a pair of links 43. The pair oi links 44 at one end carry a transverse connector 45 which is a spacer block. The links 4.4 are pivoted at 46 to a portion of the stationary tramework.v The links 43 lying outside the links 44 are connected at one end to the links 44 by the connecting links 47. The opposite ends of the links 44and 43 are connected to an insulation block 48 and said insulation block carries a project-ing nger or trigger 49. This trigger is adapted to be projected downwardly into the path ot' the articles movable beneath the unit gripper, and thereafter be moved out of the path or reset. A relatively stationaryv contact support 50 is ot insulation and supports a contact member 51. The insulation block 48, pivotally supported hy the bar or links 44, carries a stationary contact 52 and associated therewith is a spring actuated contaettinger 53. .Said members 48 and 50are maintained in separated relation by a spring 54. Vhen the contacter is positioned as shown in Fig. 4 the trigger is projected into the path of the article and the switch members 53 and 5l are out of contact. immediately upon the mechanical engagement of the trigger by an article the electrical circuit through these contacts 51 and 53 is closed in opposition to spring 54. This immediately energizes the solenoid 18 and causes the article to be grasped and elevated. The foregoing action is substantially instantaneous. rlhe switch is tained in closed circuit position by the gement of the bar or. pin 41 with links 43 to tilt the mechanism and maintain the l saine in closed circuit position. while the armatureV and core is in the elevated position. In this movement the block 48 is tilted up- 7ardly and inwardly through the action ot the toggle or scissors construction.

lStat-ionarily supported upon the tramework is an insulation base l aving a stationary contact 61. The pivotally supported block 63 car 'ies a trigger 65 engagcable by an arm 66 carried by draw bar 33 or equivalent mechanism. Thus in the upward movement of the draw l an arm 66 engages trigger to open the switch including the members Gl and 64. rEhe rod 67 and spring 68 press down on the spacer block 45 and hold the entire contacter out of the path ot thebrick when there is no power on either the main coil or the auxiliary coil. rllhe stem of the spring on the back of the auxiliary `contact is tastened to the stationary insulation block 60, and passes through 64, so that this spring closes the auxiliary contact.

A coil 69 is mounted adjacent the spacing bar 45 and links 44 and a "sociated therewith is a core 7() pivotally associated with said links at 71. lVhen the solenoid 69 is enorgized core 70 is elevated, and therefore the links 44 are tilted upon their pivots 46 to drop the 'trigger 49 into the path of the oncoming article.

As previously explained engagement of the article with the trigger 49 closes the circuit to the main coil or solenoid l8'which elevates the article and the arm 66. which thereupon engages the trigger 65 and opens the switch 61-64. The connection for current to coil 69 passes through switch 61-64 so that when the brick is picked up this coil is deenergized and the trigger is allowed to be pulled into the position shown in Fig. 3.

Adjacent to coil 69 is the spring stem 67 carrying the spring 68. rl`he stein 67 presses against the spacer block 45. When the brick have been dropped the yoke 40 drops also thus opening the contact 51-53 and closing the contact til-64. rllhe pressure of spring 68, however, maintains the link 44 and 'trigger 49 in the position shown in Fig. 3, until coil 60 is again energized.

Reference will now be had to Fig. In said ligure there is illustrated a main line and another main line 76. The main switch 74 controls the atoresad. Herein 8 units are illustrated diagrammatically so far as their wiring connections are concerned. A line 77 connects each ot the switch members or trigger actuated members 53 with the main line 75.` A line 78 connects each ot' the relatively stationary contacts 51 with the coils 18 and a shunt connection 79 connects said contact 51 with the switch incinbcr 61 of the next adjacent or successive unit. The switch member 64 of the switch 61-64 is connected to coil 69 and a line 86 is connected as a return to line 76. Each ot the'coils 18 by line 81 is connected to said common return. An initiating line 82 connects the tirst switch inember G1 to the line 75. Thus when switch 74 is energized the normally closed switch 6l 64 supplied current to coil 69 which immedi ately'picks up the armature 70 and drops the first trigger 49 into the path of the oncoming articles. lt will be noted that the switches 51-53 are normally open while switches 6164 are normally closed. Engagement ot' the trigger 49 by the article closes the switches 51-53ot the iirst unit. This iniinediately sup"lies current to coils 18 and at the same time as shown in Fig. 5 supplied current to switch niieinber 6l of the second unit. Thus simultaneously with the energization ot coils 18. coil 69 oi" the second unit or adjacent unit is energized so as to immediately project lUL) ti l) its trigger 49 into the path of the oncoming articles. After the coils 18 bec-ome effective the first unit engages the first initiating article to be grasped and elevated and in the continuing`- elevatingmovement, the arm 66 engages trigger and opens the circuit ot the coil 69 therebv deenergizing the same and permitting the links iid to tilt. thus maintaining switches t53-51 in closed circuit position by reason oi the engagement ot the pin l1 with links 43. r"luis energy is maintained through the return line 8l. and supply lines i7 through the coils 1S for holding an article. Immediately upon the en sagement or' the trigger 49 oi thesecond unit,the switch 51-58 is closed and current is supplied through its branch 77 to coils 18 and to the switch member 61 in the circuit o't the coil. 69 of the third unit. Atthe same time the second unit coils 18 are energized and maintained in that condition. Any number oi' units, there'tore are automatically Venergi-zed successively by successive individual ene'ao'ement ci articles with the individual tri?r` filhen the entire battery ot units is lilled with articles they may be moved by moving` the support 12. This can be accomplished in several ways. rlfhe switch 711- may be manually or mechanically actuated, and it desired the last switch 53 may be so arranged that it or a part ot the toggle mech anism is adapted to mechanically control any desired motor motion to move the row otbrick as desired. Upon opening the circuit lll it will be apparent thatall of the coils 18 are deenernized and all ot the articles are releaset` from the grasping` mechanisms. I

ln Fig. 6 a modiied :Form oi the invention is illustrated and in this form oi the invention the electrical connection between switch 51 through the shunt Z9 to switch @1 -64 and coil 69 and line 80, is replaced by a mechanical mechanism which in its broader aspect is the iiullequivalent of this electrical mechanism liereinbetore describech althougln because of the ease ot substitution in the event of repair.

y and because or other operating conditions, the

electrical equivalent is preferred. 1n 6 each of the vunits includes coil 18, the cradle 1l" the draw bar 33 and the associated toggle linkage hereinbeiore described.

The control mechanism includes tie followtlie cradle also provides a pivot 84 for a pair of links 85 between which are positioned inn: rphe cradle 17 supports a roller 83 andv another pair et links 8G which are pivotally supported at 87 by a pair ot links 88 in turn pivotally supported at Se. The draw bar ei;- tension 89carries stop 90 and the pin 91. The pinl 91 aotuates the inner pair et links 86, which in reality constitute levers, to elevate the entire contacter mechanism controlling;` the coil 18 Valter said coil 18 has been energized. Pivotally supported in the opposite ends et the inner links 86`is an insulation block 92 uponwhich is yieldingly mounted a cont-actor 93. Also supported by saidblock is a tongue or tri gger Qel. Adjacent said contacter 93 is another contacter 95 supported by an insulated block 96, said contacts beine; maintained in open relation by a spring` 97. Block 96 is supported by a U-sliaped support 98 which has an extension 99 that extends beyond the ends ot the levers or links 85 upon which the sam-e is pivotally mounted.

t will be noted that the belt 1U conveys the brick or similar articles f11 beneath the mechanisms until one of the brick contacts the lasttrigger 9i. whereupon the block 92, pivot-ed at the end of the links or levers Sli, is tilted into closed circuit position causing contact 93 to close the circuit through contacter 95, thereby energizing coil 18 which causes the elevation ot the draw bar 33 and the extension S9 tlicreo't at the same time that the brick is clamped through the toggle linkage previously7 described and particularly illustrated in the preceding iigures. lllevating movement of the draw bar causes the inner links 86 to be elevated and Aat the same time said movement elevates the outer lin-ks 85, positioning the several linkages as shown in the lett hand third ot F151'. G. Simultaneously with. this movenient the extended end 99 of the second mechanism is caused to be tilted upon its pivot thereby moving' the tongue or trigger 9i downwardly in the path ofV the oncoming` brick, whereupon it is engaged thereby or tilting' of the block, closing of the switch and energizing of the coil whereupon the cycle is repeated. After the coils 18 are deenergized the several linkages are returned to the position shown by the right hand third ont 6. In this position the two pairs oi levers 85 and 86 are in their lowermost position which maintains the trigger 94 in trie uppermost position and the switch in the open circuit position. At the saine time the trigger or tension 99'is in position to be actuated lor projecting` the trigger 94 into the lower or brick engageable position. cessive switch actuating` mechanism is adapted to be'engaged by the oncoming article tor energizing' the lifting` and clamping mechanism and simultaneously setting the trigger mechanismot the next adjacent lifting and grasping mechanism.

in Figui there is diagrammatically illustrated a plurality oi individual lifting devices having` the lifting` and grasping` coils or solenoid 18. rlhe movably mounted switch 51-53 and the 4circuit thereto, said-.switch having` the brick engageable portion or contacto The solenoid 69 actuatrdilev by brick engagement with the preceding' contact tor positioning; lthe succeeding contacter tor brick engagement, a switchen-Sil Controlling' and including` in a circuit oi said last mentioned solenoid and operable in the littingmovement of the grasping device. Trie Thus each suc- CII non-clamping position.

switch 53-51 controlled thereby, however, remains in actuatable relation or closed circuit posi-tion until the lifting and grasping solenoids 18 are deenergized Which automatically opens said switch 53-51 and closes the switch 6163 as Well .as permitting` the clamping plates to return to the lowered and opened, or n cross connection 100 between all ol"` the devices in each successive rosv insures that upon the first engagement of cont-actor 49 by brick the positioning solenoid 690i' each of the devices ot the succeeding row vvill be energized to position all ol: the contactors ol. aid succeeding rovv in position 'lor brick engaG'ement. Thus, in the event that thcbricir il on belt l0 are supplied a plurality el streams and there is removed from the belt, a brick in any one of the streams (usually .removed by the inspector or by accident). the brick would not pile up by reason oit the remaining brick in the row from which the brick has been removed, engaging the con'tactors and actuating the same and leave the other tandem roiv deenergized.

Furthermore. in theevent that any contactor is coated With clay or there is an open circuit to the lifting solenoid 18 through the switches. then said solenoid 1S Will pick up since it secures energy through the cross connection 10() in spite ol the aforesaid failures.

nEhe invention claimed is:

l. ln combination, :tor lifting brick, a brick support, a plurality of brick arranged in tan- Y dem relation upon said support, a plurality olf brick graspin devices similarly arranged, said brick grasping devices and said support having relative inov-enlent with respect to` id means each other in the tandem direction, u associated with each grasping device for actuating `the une to grasp and lift the brick substantially vertically.

ln a device for lifting brick, the combination ol a .brick support, a plurality of brick grasping devices arranged in tandem relation, a support tor said grasping devices, said supports being movable relatively of each other in the tandem direction, and means 'tor actuating said grasping devices -lor grasping and litting the brick substantially vertically, said devices each being adapted to straddle the `brick to permit passage` ofnongrasped brick therethrough to tl e preceding grasping device.

3. ln a device lor lifting brick, the combination or" a brick support, a. plurality oit brick grasping devices arranged in tandem relation, a support lor said grasping devices, said supports'l'ieing movable relatively of cach other in the tandem direction, means for actuating said grasping devices for graspingandiiliting the brick substantially vercally, said devices each beinel adapted to rasped brick 'therethrough to the preceding grasping device, and a control associated raddle the brick to permit passage ot non- Cil with each grasping device whereby` successive vbrick Will be grasped on by successive devices in succes lion.

1l. ln a device ol the character described, the combination ol.' a plurality oi article grasping means, electrical means lor each grasping means lor operating the saine, and a switchassociated With each oit said electrical means and operable by the article to be grasped lor conditioning' the successive article grasping means.

5. An article handling mechanism ol the character describedincluding' a pair ol' linadapted to'grasp and holdan article having resisting surfaces, linkage connecting said lingers and having a predetermined limiting position, and a single povver means for moving said toggle linkage lor first causingsaid lingers to grip the article and thereafter move the linkage to the limiting position and the article from its initial position.

6. An article handling mechanism Vol: the character 'described including a pair ol tingers adapted to grasp and holdan article having resisting surfaces, linkage connecting said lingers and having a predetermined limiting position, single povver means for moving said linkage l'or rst causing said lingers to grip the article and thereafter move the linkage to thelimiting position and the article from its initial position, and an anti-friction support for said lingers.

7. ln a, mechanism for lifting brick, the combination of a brick support, and a brick grasping device, a support for said grasping device, and means for actuating said grasping device for grasping' and moving the brick, said brick and brick grasping device being relatively movable with respect to each other Vin two transverse directions, said actuating means permitting the brick to be releaset trom said device lor deposition upon a second support Without lirst resting the brick.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination ot aplurality of article-engaging lingers, means for operating one of said lingers including a single unidirectional movable plunger, and a connection between said plunger and said operated linger ivhich causes said lingers to engage the article until further engagement is resisted by the article and the remainder of the plunger travel is transmitted to the lingers for lifting the same and the article.

9. ln a device of `the character described, the combination ofa plurality olarticle-engaging lingers, Ymeans for operating one of said lingers including a single unidirectional continuously traveling plunger, and a connection between said plunger and said operated 'linp'er which causes said lingers to engage the article-until further engagement is resisted by the article and the remainder of theplunger travel-is transmitted to the lingers lor lifting thesaine and the article.

engaging lingers, means lor operating one of A saidlingers including an electric solenoid, a

' iso slidable core operable by said solenoid, and a connection between said core and said operated finger arranged so that the initial power application is applied to said linger i'ior article engagement and the remainder of the power application is applied 'to the lingers for elevating the article. l

11. In a device of the character described, the combination oit a plurality of article-r igaging lingers, a toggle construction tor operating said lingers, and a single means for exerting a uni-directional torce upon said toggle construction, whercoy said lingers are adapted to lirst engage an article and therealter continue to hold the article and elevate the same with the continued application ol said uni-directional force.

12. In av device of the character described, the combination of a plurality ot article-engaging fingers, a single linearly movable means for providing a uni-direccional movement of a predetermined amount, and a connection between one ot saidiingers and said uni-directional means, whereby 'the 'lingers lirst engage an article to hold the saine only with the initial portion of the movement ol' vthe uni-directional means and the remainder of the travel of the uni-directional means is utilized orelevating the article and the lingers while holdingthe same.

13. An apparatus ot the character described including a single linearly movable reciprocable means 'tor applying a single force acting in one direction when moved in one direction tor engaging an article and thereafter raising the saine while engaged andv upon, return movement automatically release the article.

14. An apparatus ot the character described including a single linearly movable reciprocable means for applying a predetermined uni-directional torce when moved in one direction l'or engaging an article with j ust sufficient force to h old the same and applying the remainder of said torce to elevate the same and upon return movement automatically release the article.

l 15. ln combination, a support, an article upon said' support, a plurality of Fingers tor engaging said article above the support, and a single means for causing said engagement and elevating the article when thus engaged, said article-engaging means being automatically returnable upon the removal of the constraining force applied thereto to permit the article to be released without prior deposition upon a support at the time ot release.

16. In a device of 'the character described, the combination of a plurality of article-engaging lingers, and a power operable mechanism tor actuating in one movement said lin- V the aa-rss gers to engage an article and elevate'the same, said lingers being automatically returnable intonon-engaging position upon release from the power operable mechanism and for releasing the article through the weight thereof. i p

17. In a device of the character described, the combinationoii a plurality of article-engaging lingers anda singlepower operable mechanism for actuating said `lingers to enan article and elevate the same in one continuous movement, said article being automatically releasable by reason of its weight when the constraining force of the power operable mechanism is released.

18. An article vhandling mechanism of the character described including a pair of fingers adapted to grasp and hold an article having grasping surfaces, and a single solcnoid Ylor actuating said lingers to grasp the article and elevate the same.

19. An article handling mechanism of the character described including a pair ot lingersadapted to grasp and hold an .article having grasping surfaces, and ay single solenoi d means actuable by a predetermined force Ytor actuating one of said lingers to grasp the article with only sufficient force tov hold the same and centinue the application of whatever balance ot torce isrequired tor moving the article thus grasped.

20. An article handling mechanism of the character describedincluding a pair of tingers adapted to grasp and hold an article having grasping surfaces, linkage connecting said lingers, a single solenoid for operating said linkage for causing said tinge-rs to 'first grasp an article and when grasped to move the same, and an anti-friction support lor said lingers.`

21. In a clamp construction for plastic articles, the combination of a support` a clamping mechanism movably supported thereby. and a support for said mechanism positioned beneath said first mentioned support, said clamping mechanism including a pair of horizontally fulcrumed opposed clamping` plates, and pressure operable-means ifo causing said plates to move together to engage and clamp the plastic article, said clamping plates being automatically returned to and normally maintained in non-clamping relation by gravity, said pressure operable means actuating said plates in opposition to gravity.

22.' ln a brick lifter, the combination of a pair ot clamping'plates, a support for Vsupporting the same, a linkage connected to one ol: said plates, means for actuating said linkage. a support for said actuating means` and yielding; means interposed between saidsnpports for normally opposingmovement oit first mentioned support with respect to the second mentioned support until the article to be clamped and raised has been grasped with suliicient force to permit of raising the same.

lll() CII sufcient force to permit of raising` the same,

and an anti-friction mounting associating ipporsstogether. Y 24k ln a brick lifter, the combination oiE a pair oi clamping plates, a support ltor supporting the same, linkage connected to one of said plates, power means tor actuating said'linkage, and yielding means associated with said support, the grasping torce applied by said clamping plates being directly proportional tothe strength of said yielding means.

25, In a brick lifter, the combination of a i air ot clamping plates, a support 'for supporting the same, linkage conne/edito one oi d plates,` power means for actuating i kage.. and adjustable yielding means Vassociated with said support the grasping Ytorce applied by said clamping plates being` directly proportional Avo the adjuster. strength et said yielding means.

Q6. ln a device for lifting brick, the combiation ot a brick support adapted to support a plurality oit brick, a plurality rows of brickg asping devices arranged in tandem, and including a plurality of tandem arrangements, means connecting each device in the tandem arrangement Jfor conditioning the same by the operation o'll the preceding de vice, and means connectingthe devices in each row for insuring conditioning of `all ol" the tandem arranged in the succeeding row.

27. ln a device tor lifting brick, the combination of abrick support adapted to support a plurality oi brick, a plurality of rows ot brick grasjping 'devices arranged in tandem and including a plurality oit tandem arrangements, means connecting-each device in the 'tandem arrangement for conditioning the same by the operation of the preceding devi 1e, and meansconnecting the "devices in each row tor securing operation of all ot the tandem arranged devices in said preceding rowupon operation of any one ot' said devices in said precedingl row. Y

` ina device for liiting brick, the combination of a brick support adapted to support arplurality oi brick, a plurality of rowsof f brick grasping devices, arranged in tandem and includinga lplurality of tandem arrangemeans connecting each device in th tandem arrangement tor conditioning the same by the operation of the preceding de rice, and means connecting'the device vin each'row ior insuring conditioning of the tandem arranged devices in the succeeding row and for securing operation of all of the devices in said preceding row upon operation of any one said devices in said preceding row.

29. In combination, a plurality of brick clamping means, actuating means for each of said grasping means, brick engageable member associated with each of said brick grasping means, a plurality oi brick, and means connecting each oi said brick grasping means for positioning the brick engageable member for brick engagement upon brick engagement ot the preceding brick engageable member with a brick, the engagement of brick with the brick engageable member initiatingsaid actuating means and positioningl said brick in predetermined position with respect to the grasping means ifor grasping.

30. in abrick lii'ting device, the combination oit a grasping solenoid, a movably mounted switch controlling the. same engageable by brick to be grasped for actuating said solenoid, and means for moving said switch into position for brick engagement and solenoid actuation. y

3l. in a brick lifting device, the combination oi? a plurality ot brick grasping devices cach including a solenoid, a movably mounted switch controlling the same engageable by a brick to be grasped 'tor actuating said solenoid, and means automatically zctuatable by brick engagement ot the preceding switch 'or moving sai-d succeeding switch into position Vfor brick engagement and solenoid actuation.

32. ln a brick lil'ting device, the combination ot a grasping solenoid, a movably mounted switch for actuating the same, a solenoid for moving said switch into position for brick engagement, and means for actuating said second mentioned solenoid.

33. ln abrick lifting device, the combination of a grasping solenoid, a movably mounted snf'itch tor actuating the same, a solenoid ior moving said switch into position Yfor brick engagement, means for actuating said second mentioned solenoid, and means associated with the solenoid and switch for automatically returning the switch to non-engageable position upon actuation oi' the iii-st mentioned solenoid.

34. ln a brick lifting device, the combination of a grasping solenoid, a movably mounted s ,itch for actuatingpthe same, a solenoid Yfor moving .aid switch into position for brick engagemenu'means for actuating said second mentioned solenoid, and means associated with the first mentioned solenoid and switch tor-.automatically maintaining said enoid and switch in brick graspingvrelaion and automatically returning said switch non-engageable. position upon actuation oi tl e lirst mentioned solenoid.

ln a brick li'lting device, the combinan tion ot a graspingsolenoid, a inovably mounted switch controlling the same engageable by a brick to be grasped for actuating, said solenoid, and means associated'wit-h said solenoid and switch for automatically positioning said switch in position for brick engagement and solenoid actuation and automatically return-y ing said switch to nonengageable position upon actuation of the solenoid.

36. In a brick lifting` device, the combination ot a grasping solenoid, a movably mounted switch controlling the saine engageable by a brick to be grasped tor actuating' said solenoid, and means associated with said solenoid and switch for automatically maintaining; said solenoid and switch in brick grasping relation and. automaticallyV returning said switch to non-engageable Vposition upon actuation ot said solenoid,

37. ln a device for litt-ing' brick, the combination o'l a brick support adapted to support a plurality ot brick, a plurality of rows ot brickgrasping devices arranged in tandem and including plurality ol tandem arrangements, means connecting' each row to the succeeding row for conditioning by a preceding` device operation, the device in the successive i'ow for operation, and means connectingl the devices in each row 'tor insuring,` conditioning' ot all ot the preceding; row ot devices by any one of the devices in the precediiig; i'oiv.

. 38. ln a device tor lifting` brick, the coinbination of a brick support adapted to support a plurality of brick, a plurality oli rows ot' brick grasping devices arranged in tandem and including' a plurality of tandem arrangenients, means connecting` each row to the succeeding row 'for conditiening,l by a preceding; device operation the devices in the succeeding` row for operation, and means connecting'tlie devices in each row for securing' operation oli all of the devices in said preceding' row upon operation of any one of the devices therein. l

I 89. lin a device'for lifting; brick, the combinationoi2 a brick support adapted to support a plurality olf brick,'a plurality of rows of brick grasping devices arranged in tandem and including` a plurality of tandem arrangements, 'means connecting each row to eacli succeedingv row 'for conditioning Vby a precedingl device operation the vdevices Vin the succeeding row for operation, and'means connecting' the Vdevices in each row or-insuringr conditioning' ot all ot the succeeding rows ,of devices by any one of the devices .in the preceding' row and tor securing; operation of all et the devices in saidl preceding row upon operation oit any of the devices therein.

40. ln a device tor lifting` brick. the combination ora brick support adapted to support a plurality of brick, aV pluralityot rows of brick grasping devices arranged in tandem and including a plurality of tandem arrangements, and means connecting said devices whereby all of the devices in a row are conditioned for operation upon operation of any device in the preceding' row.

4l. ln a device toi' lifting brick, the combination of a brick support adapted .to support a plurality oil brick, a plurality of rows ot' brick grasping' devices arranged in tandem and i ncludinal a plurality or tandem arrang'ementiaA d means connecting said devices whereby al'l ot the devices in a ron7 are actuated upon operation of any Adevice in said row.

d2. In a device tor lifting bi'ick, the combination ot a brick support adapted t'o support a plurality of brick, a plurality of rows ot brick grasping devices arranged in tandem and including' a plurality of tandem arrangements, and means connecting said deviceswhereby all of the devices. in a row are conditioned 'for operation upon the operation ot' any devices in the preceding' row and all of said devices in said row are'ractuated upon the operation of any device in saidrow.`

4?). ln a device of the character described, the combination of a plurality ot article grasping' means, a power means for each `rrasping means ilior individually operating'.

said devices each being adapted to straddle the brick to permit oi' pass re of non-grasped brick thereto to the preceding; grasping Adeyice, and a control associated -ivritli each graspingr device operable by thebrickto be Ygi'i'asped whereby succ'L sive `grasping devices are successively conditioned lor grasping` bri rvk.

45. ln a clamp construction tor plastic ar- Y ticles, the combination ota support, a clampmechanisin movably supported thereby a support 'for said mechanism positioned beneath said iirst mentioned support, said clamping' mechanism including` a pair of siniilarly flfulcruined and opposed clamping plates, and pressure operable means for causiing' said platesy to move together to engage and clamp the article, said clamping` plates being; automatically returnable l' into nonclamping position upon return oi the pressure operable means to kinitial condition;

46. ln a brick lifter device the combination ol' support, a pair ot 'clamping plates for clamping' and'litting brick, power means, means for elevating said plates, a normally l open control for said power means, a contactor engageable by the brick for operating said control, a connection between said control and the means for elevating .the brick clamping plates for maintaining .said control in the power applying position when the brick is elevated and a yielding mounting associated with said control permitting relativey moreincnt between the part-s of said control for obtaining positive predetermined position ing of said control in the power applying position.

47. In a brick lifter device the combination of a support, a pair of clamping plates for clamping and lifting brick, power means, means for elevating said plates, a normally open control for said power means, a contactor engageable by the brick for operating said control, and a connection between said control and the means for elevating the ybrick clamping plates for maintaining said control in the power applying position when the brick is elevated, the maintaining connection including a linkage operable by the elevating means when the clamping plates are in clamping relation.

48. In a device for lifting brick, a solenoid for actuating said device to grasp and lift the brick, a member engageable by the brick for actuating said solenoid, a second solenoid actuable to position said brick engageable member for brick engagement, and a switch controlled by said first solenoid for deenergizing said second solenoid upon actuation of said first'solenoid.

49. In an article initiating lifting device, the combination of a trigger engaged by the article to belifted prior to the lifting for initiating the same, a normally open switch closed by the trigger when engaged by the article, and links for elevating the trigger with the article when lifted.

50. A device as defined by claim 49, characterized by the trigger elevating means including a link pivotally'supported at one end, another link pivotally supported upon the opposite end of the first mentioned link and connected to the trigger, and a third link connected to the trigger, said links being arranged to maintain the trigger in switch closing position when lifted.

5l. I'n combination a pair lof relatively movable switch members, links associated therewith for securing relative movement therebetween, a solenoid for causing lowering .movement of the links, another solenoid for causing upward movement of the links when the switch is closed, a normally closed switch controlling the first mentioned solenoid, and mea-ns operable in the elevational movement responsive to the second-mentioned solenoid for opening saidv second-mentioned switch and deenergizing said first-mentioned solenoid.

52. A device as defined by claim 5l, characterized by the addition of a spring for cushioning the lowering movement of the links when the second-mentioned solenoid is deenergized.

53. A device as defined by claim 5l, characterized by the addition of means for normally maintaining the links in the elevated position when the second mentioned solenoid is deenergized,

54. A device as defined by claim 5l, characterized by the addition of means for normally maintaining the links in the elevated position when the second mentioned solenoid is deenergized, and means operative to energize said first-mentioned solenoid to actuate said links for lowering the same in opposition to said maintaining means.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto af- Xed my signature.

GRAFTON E. LUCE. 

